Prayer and Reflections
13th September 10:30 Preacher Revd Alan Please note the service will take place Next Sunday Pat will lead worship
Prayer
Dear Lord, Gracious Heavenly Father, As we acknowledge your greatness, accept our thanks for your grace and favour, for your never ending love for us and for your everlasting presence surrounding us. Help us this week to live our lives your way to seek your will for our lives and to find that inner peace through you. In your name we pray. AMEN. In our Prayers this week we bring to the Lord. Sandra and her girls as they mourn their loss of Husband and Dad
REFLECTION: Helen
Are we ever a little bit confused or feel like we are in a muddle, I know I do regularly. During this period particularly around Coronavirus I think we are continually being given advice or even instructions that themselves are confusing. We can do this, but we can’t do that etc. Sometimes for me this makes sense and other times I am completely confused by what appears to be the advice we are being given and this doesn’t leave me feeling good, or even convinced what we are being instructed is always correct. Are you like me do you feel this too ? This made me think about – advice and instruction – are we good at receiving it ? Are we graceful in how we receive it, or do we just want our own way. Our way or no way ? This week my reflection for you is “not my way but God’s way”. We can rely on God to be completely consistent, He does not keep chopping and changing His mind about rules and how we should live. His way of living, leads us into perfect peace, unity with Him. He doesn’t say it will be easy, but He does promise us that He will never leave us and that we will find that inner peace and joy. Now to me this makes sense and a choice that is right. John 14: 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid
Reflection Judith
Lost Friends, During this difficult period of lockdown due to Covid 19, the Monday Fellowship has been unable to come together for our regular meetings. Four valued members have passed away and we have not had the chance to remember their contribution to the group. Earlier on we lost both Don Barnard, who supported Carole in whatever she did, and Marjorie Hadlington, who although in a Care Home was still remembered through her daughter Kathryn. But with sadness we think now at the loss of both Kathryn Durden & Margaret Burrows. Kathryn was someone that contributed with tales of Holidays to far and exotic places, willing to help whenever she could, continuing to support the group throughout her recent time of ill Health, much to our ofadmiration. Margaret was our Pianist, she came to Fellowship through her long time friendship with Elsie Cartwright, they had been friends for many years. Margaret was a talented Pianist and would speak of days as a music teacher, she was also a keen artist, and good at Crafts. All four members will be sadly missed, all contributing much in their own way to our Group. So, when we are able to meet again, they will be remembered fondly in our prayers. Judith Morris.
Reflection Chris
Count your blessings, name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done. Last year was so busy, constantly on the go, always doing everything on the run, keeping Amanda’s hospital appointments, we had so much prayer support and encouragement from all our friends and family. So as the new year approached we assumed that things could only get better, Amanda started to improve very slowly. Then Covid19 and lockdown – we began working in the garden, clearing the garage, the loft, it’s amazing how much rubbish we had collected, throwing out the rubbish was really satisfying. As lockdown continued with the blow of losing Steve, I was thankful that my Mom had encouraged me to sew, cook and craft, making cards became a major pastime. Like Pat last week I sometimes think back to school days when I was told I would never make a needlewoman or a cook, how wrong they were! Afternoons were taken up by making a patchwork quilt, for Becky’s 21st birthday on Thursday, but for Covid the quilt would not have been completed in time for her birthday. I find I like this calmer, more relaxed way of life. The discipline of gratitude is an explicit effort to acknowledge that all I am and have is given to me as a gift of love, a gift to be celebrated with JOY. As Covid hopefully relinquishes it’s hold and things start to ease, things have changed so much, we should be thankful that our Father in Heaven never changes and is always there for us no matter what. Maybe we should all give thanks for what we have rather than complain about things which are really unimportant in our lives. Lord, You who gave thanks in everything, help us to practice the discipline of gratitude to you for everything you give us and everybody you bring into our lives. Amen
Last Sunday's Welcome Service for the Revd Helen Croft with address from our District Chair Revd Rachel Parkinson can be accessed Virtual Church Player
https://www.valeofstour.org.uk/virtual-church/player/rev-helen-croft-wel...